Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Excuse me,” Shinjiro had sensed the girl who had suddenly approached him on the way home from school. He had been taken aback not expecting to see a girl his age judging by the orange school uniform she wore. Last time he had sensed someone so clearly like this had been his first encounter with the mysterious alien Bemular. The divide between what he felt and what he saw confused him as he replied.

“Y-yes?”

“Could you point out where the nearest police station is?” At her question Shinjiro blinked with his gaze lowering to the doll she held. Within her arms he saw she was carrying a fluffy, red and blue Ultraman like doll. Could it be she intended on turning this doll in? Or maybe it was normal for girls to want to carry around an admittedly cute doll.

“If you need directions I wouldn’t mind showing you the way.” For Shinjiro, it never hurt to help a pretty girl who stood in front of him. Plus she didn’t seem dangerous. She however shook her head.

“I couldn’t possibly take up your time. I just wanted to turn this in."

“Ah…” Shinjiro stared into the doll’s beady yellow eyes and for a brief moment thought back to his younger days where he played with so many toys. He could even remember the times he’s cried over losing one of them troubling both his parents. "Actually, the police station is on the way to where I’m headed."

“Really?” It’s brief but there’s a look of surprise on the girl’s expression before she flashes a smile. “Thank you so much!”
“By the way, what’s your name? I’m Shinjiro.”

“I’m-“ It was at that moment a red and silver blur cut in between them without warning.

“Wonderful! So you’ve decided to help us!”

“Uwah?!” Shinjiro’s hand moved faster than his own mind could comprehend what had transpired before him. As a result he slammed an unknown object down to the ground. When he peered down to what had fallen, Shinjiro found he was staring at a toy that reminded him of the Taro suit.

“Taro!” The girl he had been talking to knelt down next to the toy. As if on cue the toy Taro began vibrating before floating up on its own.

“You have greatly upset me!” The toy began to fuss but instead of feeling intimidated Shinjiro found himself simply staring vacantly while thinking how amazing the advances of technology were nowadays. It wasn’t every day he saw a toy float and talked on its own accord.

“I am not a toy!” Taro interjected seemingly having heard Shinjiro’s very rude thoughts. “I will have you know I am a proud Ultra Warrior! I am stuck in this form because-!”

Taro was cut off when the ground around them began to shake. Shinjiro caught sight of civilians who had all been going about their business suddenly turn to run away from a large looming shadow that peeked from between the tall buildings. He blinked with his gaze rising to see a sight of a familiar, dark red-eyed reptilian monster and the protruding hook-like horn growing out from its forehead. It was a Black King which he’s fought before with the other Ultraman who were all part of the SSSP.

Shinjiro hesitated with his hand moving to his wrist where he hid away the brace that allowed him to instantaneously call upon his Ultraman suit. He couldn’t just transform right in front of the girl’s eyes. His identity had to be kept a secret for the sake of safety. Unfortunately for him while his hesitation kept him in place for a brief moment the girl dashed in the direction of the Black King. She barely looked over her shoulder as she yelled after Shinjiro.

“Go take cover!”

“Wait, don't go!” Giving chase after the girl he saw the civilians who ran in the opposite direction to escape Black King's wrath. Up ahead Shinjiro saw the girl taking charge of the situation as she directed those passing by on where to go, or pointing to those who were in need of assistance to other able bodied civilians who could lend a hand. He couldn’t help watch in awe until the familiar cry of the Black King filled the air.

Snapping back to reality as he saw debris from the building the Black King had slammed into with its back raining down. Panicked screams filled the air. Pulling forward, faster to his destination Shinjiro saw the girl with no regards to her safety pushing someone away from the falling rubble. 

He had no time to hesitate as he crossed his arms in an L-like shape similar to when he would use the Specium Beam to activate his brace. He knew he would get an earful for transforming into his Ultraman suit before their eyes but that would have to wait for later. 

Now donning his suit Shinjiro pushed through with his speed managing to snatch the girl into his arms, and lift her up into the safety of the skies.

“Are you okay?” He glanced down at her, who looked up in surprise. Quickly composing herself she gave a nod.

“Thank you.” At her gratitude Shinjiro felt embarrassed. It wasn’t everyday someone thanked him like this, especially a girl his age. Giving a nod he moved to set her away from the Black King’s throwing range. Just as he was about to leave, she immediately grabbed his arm. “Wait! Please don’t hurt that Black King! It’s just a child!”

Said Black King’s head barely poked out from the surrounding apartment buildings that it seemed to clumsily stumble into. Almost as if the cramped space of a city was too much for the reptile of equal size of a five foot building. In fact the tail seemed to be half the size of the one he had seen up close before as Ultraman.

The ground shook yet again from Black King stomping its feet, and swinging its arm seemingly restless. Shinjiro looked between the girl and the Black King. He wasn’t sure what he could do to calm the monster down without fighting it.

“Do not worry!” Taro zipped in between the two. “I should be able to communicate with this child!” Taro explained before stopping in front of its face. The Black King that had been stomping its feet stopped and stared at Taro.

“Dear Child, are you lost?”

 “I can’t find my best friend! Where did he go?”

Shinjiro swallowed before he did a quick scan of their surroundings. There was clearly no sign of anyone else now besides them. Was there another Black King lurking within the shadows of this city?

The Black King’s sniffles now filled the silence of the city.

“Ginga! Where are you?”

“What?! But Ultraman Ginga is not here!” At Taro’s exclamation both Shinjiro and the girl exchanged looks. This troublesome Black King was friends with an Ultraman? It wasn’t unheard of but why would she look for him in a place like this? That question ran through both of their minds.

“He is! I held him close but I dropped him! Gingaaa! I’m so sorry!” She continued to wail, clearly beginning to trouble Taro.

“Ah!” The girl’s gaze lowered to the plush she still managed to have a hold of. Shinjiro too found his gaze drawn to the doll. Immediately, despite the blockage in their path the girl began to rush forward.

“Let me help!” Shinjiro lifting her up once again moved her closer to Black King’s view.

“Here! We found your friend!” The girl called out as she held out the fluffy Ultraman. Black King froze before stumbling forward in their direction with hurried steps. The doll within the girl’s hand slipped out as it moved forward in Black King’s direction of its own freewill. Both Shinjiro and the girl stared wide eyed.

“Ginga! Ginga, I’m so happy you’re okay!” While they couldn’t hear the doll like they could Black King, he was no doubt soothing her as it landed atop Black King’s head. A faint glow from Ginga began to spread surrounding the city, and in a flash everything was back in place with both Black King and Ginga disappearing out of sight.

“Was that really…?” Shinjiro, dumbfounded, set his gaze up to the sky.

“Ultraman, no, Shinjiro thank you.” The girl smiled up at him. “I haven’t told you my name yet have I? I’m Cosmo.”

Shinjiro returned her smile through his mask but before he could respond, Taro for the nth time cut in between them.

“Oh, what a beautiful friendship between you two youth! I cannot wait to tell your Father about this Cosmo!”

“NO!” This time it was Cosmo whose hand reacted faster than anyone could comprehend. Shinjiro remained silent as he watched Taro slammed to the ground with a loud crash for a second time.